Board Bulletin for 4/25/2025

 

The Fulton County Board of Education met on Thursday, April 24, 2025, for its regularly scheduled Board Meeting at the South Learning Center. The full agenda is available online via Simbli, a website replacing the district's former BoardDocs, which makes the School Board agenda and all supporting documents available online. Meetings are streamed live on the FCS homepage, with recordings available within 48 hours.  

Superintendent’s Report

After noting that this week FCS celebrated Administrative Professionals Day, Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney invited Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins to present an update on state-identified schools to outline the criteria for school designations, current schools on support lists, district supports, data monitoring, and next steps to improve student achievement and growth.

According to Mr. Gaskins, the state identifies schools that need additional support through several designations. Categories and criteria include CSI (Comprehensive Support and Improvement), which is the lowest 5% of Title 1 schools, and TSI (Targeted Support and Improvement), which identifies schools where performance for one or more student groups is in the lowest 5% of schools. This year, nine Fulton County schools are on these two lists.  A new category called Georgia Promise Act schools was announced in February 2025 to identify schools that makes families within their attendance boundaries eligible for state funded vouchers. Nine additional schools were designated in this category. Most of these decisions are based on student performance on the Georgia Milestones tests, though Milestone results will not be publicly available until December 2025.

FCS supports these schools through school improvement plans that are customized for each school and designed with district leaders and the Georgia Department of Education while also offering extra resources like staff, training, and programs to help students succeed. To ensure students are on the right track, the district closely monitors multiple data points like i-Ready diagnostic tests, which help measure student growth in reading and math mid-year. Additionally, teachers use a “student tracker” tool that combines various data sources to personalize instruction.

The latest data shows that most schools are on pace for strong academic growth, which is a good sign that Milestones scores will improve in the spring. Mr. Gaskins noted that many schools are exceeding expected growth, even if fewer students are currently at grade level. Progress in math is slightly behind reading, but several schools are already outperforming last year’s state test scores. Over the past three years, schools show a mix of trends—some steadily improving, others with varied results. These trends help forecast where improvement efforts are working best.

Efforts to improve student achievement and growth include school improvement plans, data tracking, refining instructional strategies, and targeted support for middle school math teachers. To see the full presentation, click here.

FY 2026 Budget Recommendation | Budget Markup #2

Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef presented the FY 2026 Budget Recommendation, which aligns with the district’s strategic plan, and emphasizes student achievement, safe schools, staff support, and responsible financial management. It is guided by values such as teamwork, integrity, and accountability and reflects a commitment to educational excellence, operational efficiency, and long-term planning. It prioritizes funding for schools and staff while managing rising costs and maintaining financial stability.

The School Board has established a priority of allocating no less than 75% of the budget to schools. The Fiscal Year 2026 budget recommendation not only meets this standard but exceeds it, with 78% of total funding committed to supporting instruction and school-based services.

The budget is divided into six major funds. The General Fund, the largest portion, dedicates 62% to direct instruction. Salaries and benefits make up about 85% of this fund, totaling $1.25 billion. Other expenditures include supplies, services, utilities, and student resources.

Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Gonzalo La Cava presented the district’s Fiscal Year 2026 Compensation Recommendations, emphasizing the goals of staying competitive, addressing labor shortages, and supporting the district’s strategic priorities to attract, retain, and motivate top talent. FCS continues to maintain a strong competitive edge in Metro Atlanta. Since the 2022-2023 school year, salaries have increased by more than 14%, demonstrating the district’s commitment to rewarding and recognizing staff.

For Fiscal Year 2026, the district recommends a 2.5% salary increase for all employees, along with a STEP increase for eligible staff, at an estimated cost of $42 million. These proposed adjustments reflect an ongoing investment in Fulton County Schools’ workforce, reinforcing efforts to provide competitive pay, professional growth opportunities, and equitable compensation that benefit both students and the broader community.

Continuing the presentation, Mr. Dereef said the proposed General Fund totals $1.475 billion, with $1.1 billion going to traditional schools. When charter schools are included, 78% of the fund supports schools overall. Projected revenue is $1.377 billion, resulting in a $97.5 million gap to be covered using the fund balance. Funds are also reserved for risk management, textbook adoption, and board policy requirements.

However, the district continues to face financial pressures. Special education costs have risen over 40% since 2022. Health insurance and retirement expenses are also increasing, while student enrollment is slightly declining meaning more is being spent per student. Additionally, local revenue challenges include a 22% rise in the state-mandated Local Fair Share and a 136% increase in tax exemptions.

The FY2026 budget recommendation represents a strategic and balanced approach to meeting the district’s evolving needs. It reflects a strong commitment to student success, competitive compensation for staff, and responsible use of resources. Despite ongoing financial challenges, the district remains focused on maintaining high-quality instruction, supporting school operations, and planning for long-term sustainability. The budget aims to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to thrive, while reinforcing the district’s dedication to fiscal responsibility and educational excellence. Click here to see the full presentation.

Adjustment to the 2025-2026 Instructional Calendar

This month, the Board approved a minor adjustment to the Instructional Calendar for the 2025-2026 school year to ensure smooth delivery of essential district professional development and eliminate conflicts with school open houses during pre-planning. The change includes moving district professional development days from July 30th, and July 31st, to July 28th and July 29th.  This change does not impact the total number of pre-planning or professional development days in the 2025-2026 calendar. 

Transition of Board Policy Manual to Simbli

The Board has approved the transition of their policy manual to Simbli this month.  The transition from BoardDocs to Simbli will include several policy titles and structure updates which are highlighted below.  This change will bring Fulton County Schools into better alignment with the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) coding rules.

The following updates will be made as part of the transition:

• 169 Title Changes
• 49 Policy Code Changes
• 59 Operating Guidelines are transitioning to Regulations
• 4 Procedures are transitioning to Regulations
• 19 Attachments are transitioning to Exhibits

Policies for Action

The Board of Education took action on two policy revisions.  The first, Board Policy GBKL: Employee Supervision/Termination/Demotion/Non-Renewal, provides updated guidance for employee due process and clarifies the Superintendent’s role in the suspension process.  The second, Board Policy JQK: Exchange Students, has been reorganized for clarity, includes new definitions, timelines, and requirements for exchange students, and more closely aligns Fulton County Schools with the guidance from the Council of Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET).

New Conley Hills Elementary School Renamed Briar Hills Elementary School

This Board has worked diligently to ensure that the name chosen for the new Conley Hills replacement school reflects both community sentiment and historical significance. The name Briar Hills Elementary School emerged as the top name under consideration. This name is a united and intentional blend of two important elements. “Briar” honors the historical significance of the Briarwood name, and “Hills” acknowledges and honors Conley Hills Elementary School, which this new school will replace. Briar Hills Elementary School bridges the legacy of two former schools, Briarwood and Conley Hills, embodying both respect for our past and a vision for our future.

New Hires & Promotions   

The following individual was approved for a new position at the Board meeting:

• Miranda Freeman | Principal, Westlake High School

Board Recognitions

Each month, the Board recognizes outstanding students, staff, and schools honored at the state, national, or international level. Honorees must have placed first at the regional or state level or be among the top finishers at the national or international level. The following teams and individuals were honored at the meeting: 

• Students from Multiple Schools won first place at the 2025 Georgia Student Technology Competition (GaSTC)
• Chattahoochee High School won first place at the Georgia Senior Beta Club Convention
• Creekside High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team crowned 4A State Champions
• Creekside High School’s AVID Program was recognized as a National Demonstration School

2025-26 Community Meetings with Board Members

Each member of the Fulton County Board of Education sponsors a monthly meeting open to all community members. The sessions provide an opportunity for direct contact with community members and give Board members a chance to listen to local issues and concerns. Click here to see the meeting schedules of all Board members.